Tasmania 2

Mt. Wellington, 1 271m, ~4 100', is one of many high peaks in Tasmania. It is essentially in Hobart, and one hike starts in the city.
They warn you of sudden weather changes like we get in the Presidentials at home, incl. snow  at any time of the year.
We did a half a day walk, listed as 4 hrs, along its eastern flank, but didn't go to the top as we had a late start. The views were great all the same. Craig had not yet seen the description of the road to the top, and am afraid he had hoped to ride there. But the road surface is apparently not great, and there's a lot of traffic. Can't say I am that disappointed...

Link to Tasmania 2 pics


Mt. Field National Park had a short walk among some of the tallest trees in the world. Swamp Gums, the tallest of the Eucalyptus trees, come in 2nd to our Redwoods I believe. The oldest ones here were some 400 years old. Craig realized we have seen evidence of fire in all the forests we have visited in Australia, except in rainforests.
There is a 10-mile uphill dirt road in the park, which takes you above tree line. We tried to ride it, but I had it some 6 miles in (actually was grumpy much earlier), so we turned around without getting to see what they describe as alpine landscapes. Should have attempted this earlier in the day, as skidding on loose rocks, not getting traction in curves where the road slanted, and seeing a sign telling motorists not to start up after 3 pm, was more than I could handle. Never was interested in mounting biking.
The walking guide said XC skis might be needed in the winter, and that the limited DH  skiing available, is a 30 min walk from the road.

The department of dangerous snakes etc. in Australia: we asked our outdoorsy Brisbane friends, who said to stomp before squatting in the woods, that the poisonous snakes are more active in the spring, but have short teeth, that wearing long pants minimizes the risk of a bite, as they don't get through them, and that they know of no one who has been bitten. Craig read in a nature book here in Hobart, that the highest rate of death in Australia, related to an animal, is when a horse is involved!
Admit I might have become a bit too relaxed, but do wear thick socks in my hiking boots, and stomp as suggested.

One day we drove south from Hobart, to Woodbridge, and had one of our most beautiful rides, all on paved roads again! Found a fruit and veggie stand along the road, and got what we needed to supplement left over lasagna, for what turned out to be our Thanksgiving meal. We have so much to be thankful for!

Bruny Island is a tourist destination south of Hobart, and there I read one of the most horrific plaques I have ever seen. It commemorated the last Aboriginal tribal woman to live there. When a young woman, she lost her entire family, to murder & abduction by whalers, timber men, and sealers, had herself been raped repeatedly, still chose to work for a colonial guy, who ended up breaking his promise to her of allowing her people back to the island after an exile. She died at age 64 in the 1870s, at the home of her 'guardian family' - I read this last part on line, and hope this reference means a positive turn of events at the end of her life.
Humans are just plain horrible at times. Then, and now. It's difficult for me to understand, coming from a far away, small, and peaceful country.
We rode as much as we had time for before the rain, and never got wet! Had we been a little closer, I would have liked to drive back there at dusk, to see the world's smallest penguins run up the beach to their rookery. They burrow along the shore for the night, and are protected. There is a viewing platform, and I presume it gets crowded.